The most significant portion of the meeting involved the board’s deliberations on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, specifically targeting the Coastal Management and Future Land Use Elements. The changes are designed to address flood mitigation and adaptation strategies, crucial for Cape Canaveral, given its coastal position and vulnerabilities. The discussion was led by Zach, the Chief Resilience Manager, who outlined the city’s efforts since 2015 to comply with the “Peril of Flood” legislation. This state law obligates coastal municipalities to adapt their comprehensive plans, mandating strategies to mitigate flood risks.

Zach detailed Cape Canaveral’s ongoing vulnerability assessment, initiated in 2018 in partnership with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. This assessment examined potential flood risks projected until 2100, including storm surge and sea-level rise, highlighting Cape Canaveral’s high susceptibility due to factors like high impervious surfaces and outdated stormwater infrastructure. Following this assessment, Cape Canaveral has been working towards integrating these findings into its comprehensive plan, with the goal of improving flood insurance matters and aligning with state requirements.

Central to the proposed amendments is the establishment of an Enhanced Resilience Area (ERA), locally referred to as such while maintaining the state designation of an Adaptation Action Area (AAA). The ERA aims to enforce new standards and codes for development, focusing on low-impact practices and infrastructure elevation to mitigate flooding. Abby, the new Resilience Planning and Services Manager, expanded on the implications of the Peril of Flood legislation, stressing the need for best practices in development to safeguard infrastructure from flood risks.

In addition to these strategic amendments, the board discussed further enhancing disaster preparedness by integrating green stormwater infrastructure and low-impact development techniques. They emphasized limiting residential density increases in high hazard areas and establishing a post-disaster redevelopment and hazard mitigation plan. These measures are intended to ensure a robust response to severe storm events, aiming to protect the city’s built environment from potential devastation similar to that experienced in Mexico Beach, Florida.

A significant aspect of the discussion involved aligning the city’s vulnerability assessment findings with the goals outlined in the 2021 resiliency action plan. This alignment seeks to ensure policy coherence and facilitate future code amendments, which would require developers to finance necessary utilities, such as improved stormwater drainage. The board considered prohibiting infrastructure in vulnerable zones, further minimizing risks to at-risk populations.

There was notable concern about the implications of proposed elevation regulations on the permitting process and property owners. The board aimed to introduce a policy foundation for future technical regulations. This policy would mandate evaluations of new and redevelopment project elevations for compatibility with adjacent properties during the permitting process.

The meeting also addressed the enhancement of natural coastal resources to improve shoreline resilience, considering options like living shorelines and wave attenuation devices. The board acknowledged the complexities of infill development, where elevated structures could inadvertently affect adjacent properties. Clear directives in the comprehensive plan were deemed essential for formulating detailed land development regulations in the future.

Discussions extended to a design study for a substantial project involving protective measures for the Water Reclamation plant, including a “much larger coina rip wrap” and a “sheep pile wall.” This initiative, benefiting from a cost-sharing arrangement with federal funding, underscores the urgency of safeguarding the plant against severe storm damage. The design phase is expected to conclude in 2025, with subsequent council review for funding.

The meeting concluded with a vote to recommend the proposed ordinance to the city council, incorporating an objective on compatible elevations and mitigation techniques. Additionally, discussions about the city’s water management infrastructure highlighted the separation of stormwater and wastewater processes.